Therapeutic device



June 21, 1966 J. n. WORLEY, JR 3,257,155

THERAPEUTIC DEVICE Filed June 9, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR JOHN DWORLEY JR.

FIG. 2

J. D- WORLEY, JR

THERAPEUTIC DEVICE June 21, 1966 Filed June 9, 1964 FIG. 6

FIG. 5

. ties, etc.

United States Patent 3,257,155 THERAPEUTIC DEVICE John D. Worley, Jr.,West Hurley, NY. (3652 Alexander Court, Indianapolis, Ind.) Filed June9, 1964, Ser. No. 373,660 6 Claims. (Cl. 312209) The present inventionrelates to a therapy device and more particularly to a therapeuticdevice for use in a convalescent rehabilitation program.

In hospitals, public and private. nursing and convalescent homes, acurrent rehabilitation trend which is receiving considerable attentionand holds substantial promise is directed toward retraining patients inthe performance of simple activities of daily living and encouragementof participation in a normal routine to the maximum possible extent.Such a program generally involves self-care by the patientin suchactivities as dressing, bed activities, hygiene or toilet activities,eating activi- It has been demonstrated that such rehabilitationprograms of terminal or convalescent patients can produce results interms of more rapid restoration of function and improved morale with acorresponding change in the patients outlook. To a patient who has beenflat in bed and unable to do anything for himself, even simple functionsinvolved in self-care constitutes stimulating activity. However, presenthospital facilities are generally unsuitable for such rehabilitationprograms. Generally, hospital facilities are geared to a convalescenceprogram utilizing a high degree of nursing care and discouraging activeparticipation by the patient. Conventional hospital or nursing equipmentis generally limited to hospital carts or trays which function merelyfor transportation of various forms of medication or meals to thepatient, and storage facilities such as a conventional cabinet forstorage of personal belongings or hygienic facilities during thepatients recuperation. Neither facility is adaptable to a self-carerehabilitation program.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided atherapeutic unit adapted to assist and encourage the patient in maximumparticipation in a normal living routine. The unit basically comprises acabinet structure designed for placement near the patients bed, which inits preferred embodiment comprises a dual cabinet arrangement adaptedfor placement between two hospital beds thereby enabling two patients tobe served. Basically, the therapeutic unit provides storage facilities,santiary facilities, washing and drinking facilities, refrigeration, anddisposal facilities, electrical outlets and control facilities.Refrigeration is provided to preserve refrigerated foods and drinks thusencouraging self-service by the patient. The control panel providesimmediate access to items such as a nurses call, an overbed light, radioand TV plug-in speakers, etc. Washing facilities comprise a sink havinghot and cold water inlets and a drain. The unit includes a facial tissuedispenser mounted on a rotating board having a bed pan and urinal on itsopposite side. The cabinet structure includes pass-through openingsthrough which items such as a telephone could be passed between thepatients, The cabinet top includes individual rotatable surfaces whichrotate to form overbed tables which can be used for eating or may betilted for reading. Each table top includes a mirror mounted thereonpermitting the cabinet to function as a dresser for makeup, etc. Theentire unit is compact in design, efiicient and reliable in use,attractive in appearance and adapted to provide all essential facilitiesto enable the patient to participate to the fullest extent in a self-aidrehabilitation program.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide aself-aid therapeutic device.

3,257,155 Patented June 21, 1966 See Another object of the presentinvention is to provide a cabinet structure for use as a therapeuticdevice in a hospital or nursing home.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a cabinetstructure embodying storage, sanitary, washing, refrigeration, anddisposal facilities.

Another object of the present invention is to provide atherapeuticdevice which is efiicient and reliable in use, attractive in appearanceand adapted to provide selfassistance facilities to participants in arehabilitation program.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a dual cabinettherapeutic device enabling two patients to participate to a maximumextent in a self-assistance therapeutic process.

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the follow- I ing more particulardescription of preferred embodiments function :as towel racks.

FIGURE 1 is a general perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theinstant invention illustrating details of one of the dual cabinetarrangements.

FIGURE 2- is a side view of the instant invention illustrating detailsof the sink and refrigerator unit.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the opposite side of the tissuedispensing rotating board illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is a front view of one of the refrigerator units illustrated inFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the overbed table andcontrol unit illustrating details of the table adjustment.

FIGURE 6 is a side view of the overbed table illustrating the tabletilting adjustment.

'Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1thereof, the unit is provided with a plurality of cabinet storagecompartments in the form of drawers 10, 11, 13, 15, 17, and shelves 19,21, and 23. Drawer 10 as shown, is a shallow drawer designed toaccommodate such items as medications, medication instruments such asthermometer, etc., while the remaining drawers 11, 13, 15, 17 areadapted for general purpose storage requirements such .as clothing,personal possessions, etc. Shelves 19, 21, 23 are pass-through shelvesconnecting one side of the compartment to the other, and are adapted forstorage of such items as linens, towels, etc. Doors 25, 27 on each sideof the cabinet serve to close the compartments defined between shelves19, 23, 25. Handles 29 are provided for convenience in opening thedrawers and doors, which rails 31, 33 mounted on doors 25, 29Al-ternately, paper towel rolls and associated holders could besubstituted for towel racks 31, 33. Mounted adjacent to door 27 is arotating board 35 pivoting horizontally about center points 37 having atissue dispenser 39 mounted on one surface thereof. As more fullydescribed hereinafter, the opposite side of rotating board 35 contains abedpan and urinal. Door 41 radio and television plug-ins, etc., or anyrelated facility over which it is desired to have the patient exercisecontrol. A pull-out slab 62 having a handle 63 is mounted directly abovepanel 53 and would be used by the patient for writing. An overbed table65 having a handle or groove 67 constitutes a portion of the normallyflush top of the cabinet. Each overbed table is designed to rotate overthe bed of the patient and, as more fully described hereinafter, may beadjusted and tilted, if desired, to function as an eating or readingtable. The table is secured to the cabinet frame by a plate 111 and rod107 shown in dotted form in FIGURE 1 and more clearly shown in FIGURE 5.On each table is a flush-mounted folding mirror 73, hich may be raisedand rotated to any desired angle for use in shaving or cosmetic aid,thereby enabling the cabinet to function as a vanity. A dual electricaloutlet 75 is mounted on top intermediate the tables 65 and may be usedfor small appliances or fixtures such as a colfeemaker, toaster, shaver,lamp, etc. The sink 77 includes an outlet or drain plug 79 andconventional gooseneck type ice water outlets 81, 83 controlled byassociated buttons 85, 87.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 for additional details of the sinkarrangement, the sink 77 may be comprised of porcelain or alternativelymay be made of metal such as stainless steel or aluminum. The cabinetfixture includes individual hot and cold water outlets on each sideactivated by handles 91 and 93. The drain 79 is connected to a drainpipe 95, which will be connected to a waste outlet in a conventionalmanner. Mounted adjacent to the drain pipe 95 is compressor 97. In thepreferred embodiment herein described, a single compressor 97 isemployed to service both refrigerators, although it will be understoodthat each refrigerator might employ its own compressor. Additionaldetails of the refrigerator are described with reference to FIGURE 4.

Referring now to FIGURE 3, the rotating board 35 is shown on itsopposite side with the tissue dispenser on the inside surface of thecabinet. A bedpan 101 and urinal 103 are mounted on shelves 104 and 106and secured in position by a flexible strap 105. Merely rotating theboard through its pivot points 37 makes these sanitary facilitiesimmediately available. It will be understood that obviously all patientswould not require these facilities, but they are provided for thosepatients unable to use the regular bathroom facilities.

Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is illustrated a front view of one ofthe refrigerator units with door 47 open. The refrigerator includes aconventional shelf arrangement having available food, beverages, and icecubes as may be desired by the patient. Since the refrigerator unit isnot designed for general food storage but only as a supplement toprovide certain refreshments such as fruit juice or beverages, a small,low cost unit will be adequate for this purpose. The refrigerator wouldbe preferably coated with enamel in a color designed to match that ofthe cabinet, or alternatively the exterior portions could be coveredWith the same material used in the overall cabinet structure.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, the details of the overbed table 65 areillustrated in a front View of the table adjusted to a raised position.A support member 111 is firmly attached to the bottom surface of thetable member by any conventional means. A tubular support receptacle 109is attached to the frame of the cabinet. Connecting these supportmembers is a reinforcing rod 107 having a 90 bend at its upper extremitywhere it connects to support member 111 through an opening therein.Adjustment to any desired height is provided by raising rod 107vertically through tubular member 109 to the desired height, thenrotating it over the bed where it is clamped into position by screw 113.

A side view illustrating the overbed table adjusted to a tilted positionis shown in FIGURE 6. Tilting could be provided by a tight frictionalfit between rod 107 and the opening in support member 11 or by anysuitable means known in the art.

In the invention heretofore described, it is contemplated that thetherapeutic unit would be located approximately 10 to 12 inches from thebeds on either side to enable the patients to utilize the self-help unitin either the prone or a sitting position. It is obvious, however, thata similar one-sided unit constructed in accordance with the presentinvention could be employed in private rooms or with single patients.The unit would be approximately 32 inches in height, with the swing-outtable adjustable to any desired height. While the unit can obviously befabricated of any suitable material such as wood or metal, a preferredconstruction which provides an attractive appearance to the overallcabinet structure is Formica.

Summarizing the foregoing, the present invention provides a therapeuticdevice for use in a rehabilitation program directed to self help.Through use of the invention, the nursing demands of a patient can bevirtually eliminated or substantially reduced. The importance of such areduction in requirement of skilled personnel and resultant lower costare self evident. The results of a rehabilitation program made possibleby use of the present invention in terms of restoration of function andimproved morale of the patient are immeasurable.

While the present invention is primarly intended for use in arehabilitation program for terminal or long-term patients, theadvantages of the invention are further applicable to short-termpatients, since the convenience of having such facilities availableassists in preserving the patients self identity. Finally, use of thesubject invention permits a much smaller room than would be required forcorresponding facilities. A dual saving in floor space and cost ofcorresponding conventional equipment providing the same service is thusafforded.

While the invention ha been particularly shown and described withreference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in formand details may be made therein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A therapeutic device adapted to provide self-help service to apatient in a convalescent rehabilitation program comprising incombination a cabinet structure, said cabinet structure being positionedadjacent the bed of the patient being serviced, said cabinet structuregenerally rectangular and including a plurality of compartments, saidcompartments including storage units, a disposal facility mounted in oneof said compartments, washing facilities including a sink and controlledtemperature water supply, said sink being mounted on the upper surfaceand at one end of said cabinet structure, a table connected to saidcabinet and mounted flush with the upper surface thereof, said tablebeing rotatable and adjustable about a fixed point on said cabinet overthe bed of the patient serviced thereby, and a control and signal devicemounted on the exterior surface of said cabinet.

2. A device of the character claimed in claim 1 wherein one of saidstorage units is refrigerated.

3. A device of the character claimed in claim 1 further including arotatable closure member for one of said compartments, tissue dispensingfacilities and hygienic facilities being mounted on opposite side ofsaid closure mem- 4. A therapeutic device adapted to service a patientin a convalescent rehabilitation program, said device comprising arelatively rectangular cabinet structure mounted adjacent the bed of thepatient serviced thereby, a washing facility mounted in said structure,a plurality of storage compartments, one =of said storage compartmentsbeing refrigerated, a waste disposal unit, a rotatable closure memberfor one of said compartments, a tissue dispensing unit mounted on oneside of said closure member, hygienic facilities mounted on the oppositeside of said closure member, a table connected to said cabinetstructure, said table having its upper surface flush with the uppersurface of said cabinet structure and adapted to fit within a recess inthe top of said cabinet structure, said table being rotatable about afixed point on said cabinet over the bed of the patient servicedthereby, means for adjusting the height and position of said table,electrical outlets mounted on the exterior surface of said cabinetstructure for the use of small appliances by said patient and anelectronic control and communication unit mounted on the exteriorsurface of said cabinet structure, said unit providing signalcommunication between the patient and members of the medical staff.

5. A device of the character claimed in claim 4 adapted to service apair of patients, said device being adapted for positioning between thebeds of the patients serviced thereby and the facilities thereon beingduplicated on opposite sides of said cabinet structure for each patient.

6. A device of the character claimed in claim 4 further 15 including aplurality of pass-through shelves interconnecting opposite sides of saidcabinet structure.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 745,574 12/1903Craig 312--282 X 948,728 2/1910 Hendricks 312286 X 951,247 3/1910 Kane108-94 1,452,117 4/1923 Holmes 312-286 1,453,121 4/1923 Benner 3l2--2861,463,701 7/1923 Holton 10865 X 1,786,823 12/1930 Carrington 3121942,000,981 6/1935 Parsons 312-236 X 2,690,372 9/1954 Kelly 3122862,894,794 7/1959 Mays 312-209 X CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

CHANCELLOR E. HARRIS, FRANK B. SHERRY,

Examiners.

1. A THERAPEUTIC DEVICE ADAPTED TO PROVIDE A SELF-HELP SERVICE TO APATIENT IN A CONVALESCENT REHABILITATION PROGRAM COMPRISING INCOMBINATION A CABINET STRUCTURE, SAID CABINET STRUCTURE BEING POSITIONEDADAJCENT THE BED OF THE PATIENT BEING SERVICED, SAID CABINET STRUCTUREGENERALLY RECTANGULAR AND INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF COMPARTMENTS, SAIDCOMPARTMENTS INCLUDING STORAGE UNITS, A DISPOSAL FACILITY MOUNTED IN ONEOF SAID COMPARTMENTS WASHING FACILITIES INCLUDING A SINK AND CONTROLLEDTEMPERATURE WATER SUPPLY, SAID SINK BEING MOUNTED ON THE UPPER SURFACEAND